+DEV+ The LORD, Too Gracious?

Date: May 19, 2013 11:46 PM
Topic: +DEV+  The LORD, Too Gracious?

The LORD, Too Gracious?

"Lord, is this not what I said when I was still at home? That is why I was so quick to flee... I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love..." (Jonah 4:2)
Scripture Focus: Jonah 4:1-11

How can a prophet of the Lord be angry with God for being too gracious, too merciful, too patient and too loving? Isn't this what we adore most in our great God and King? Yet Jonah did not want to preach a message of judgment for fear that the citizens of Nineveh would repent and believe. Brewing beneath the surface of Jonah's complaint was his desire to see revenge come on a sinful people. Perish the thought that they might actually get saved!

Before we throw Jonah overboard for being unmerciful to the Ninevites, remember the many New Testament exhortations to put others before ourselves, to love our neighbors as ourselves, to love our enemies and to pray for those who wrongfully use us. Clearly, the Lord knows we are a lot more like Jonah than we care to admit. Praise to our Savior who has taken the full penalty for our sins on His shoulders! Surely each of us is as sinful to our very hearts as all of the Ninevite people. Yet we joyfully drink in the blessings and graces of His mercy each day.

Insight: Monkey see, monkey do! There is a relationship between what we receive from God and what we extend to others.




Please feel free to use this devotional to send on to your friends or share with your church fellowship and Bible study groups.